News

• Commission throws down emissions, energy gauntlet

  01 February 2007

  The European Commission has called for the EU to commit to a unilateral target to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, rising to 30% if a post-2012 international agreement can be reached. The call came as part of a package of proposals aimed at establishing an integrated energy and climate change policy for the EU, which included targets for renewable energy and biofuels, as well as calls for energy market liberalisation.

• EU to cap aircraft emissions

  01 February 2007

  The European Commission has announced its plans to bring aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It proposes capping carbon dioxide emissions from all internal EU flights from 2011, and from all flights to and from EU airports from the following year.

• OECD warns China on environment

  01 December 2006

  China's "comprehensive and modern" set of environmental laws has been unable to keep pace with the pressures generated by the extremely rapid growth of the country's economy, according to a new OECD report.*

• Supreme Court mulls GHGs

  01 December 2006

  The US Supreme Court heard arguments on 29 November in a case that addresses vehicle emissions, but which could determine whether the government should regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs).

• EPA backs down on toxics data

  01 December 2006

  The US Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn plans to loosen reporting frequency for the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), but two senators plan legislation to prevent other changes.

• Renewable energy standards on the rise

  01 December 2006

  Several US states are to impose renewable portfolio standards (RPS) up to 15% of electricity supplies, partly following the recent mid-term elections.

• TXU prepares for CO2 capture

  01 December 2006

  TXU has updated its proposal to build 9,079MW of coal plants in Texas, planning to make the 11 plants "carbon capture ready".

• US Supreme Court takes on NSR

  01 December 2006

  The US Supreme Court took up a case in November that pits environmentalists against utilities on 'New Source Review' (NSR), which determines when generators must add emissions controls to plants.

• US states move further on mercury than EPA

  01 December 2006

  More than 20 states plan to reduce mercury emissions more deeply than required by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and many will prohibit trading of mercury allowances.

• Australia's Howard u-turns on emissions trading

  01 December 2006

  The Australian government is to form a taskforce to investigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trading at the national and international level, Prime Minister John Howard has announced. Although the terms of reference have yet to be released, he indicated the review will include an assessment of possible changes or alternatives to existing international carbon markets.